Johannesburg: Network Administrator [LAN, WAN, VPNs, CCNA, ACSA, Aruba, Cisco, Juniper]

Purpose of the Role Secure and maintain the organisations computer systems and network. Maintain a reliable, secure, and efficient data communications environment. Key Performance Areas: Plan and Set Up Network Infrastructure Maintain High-Availability Network Infrastructure Conduct Research on Modern Networking Best Practices Perform General Administrative and Documentation Functions Key Tasks by KPA 1. Plan and Set Up Network Infrastructure Identify network requirements and design appropriate solutions. Implement, configure, and maintain LAN infrastructure. Implement, configure, and maintain WAN infrastructure. Assist System Administrators with necessary network configurations. Plan for and report on network capacity across the organisation. Negotiate and coordinate reciprocal network support and access with third-party vendors. Perform risk mitigation activities, contribute to team knowledge sharing, monitor network traffic, and update the incident response plan. 2. Maintain High-Availability Network Infrastructure Create and manage user accounts, permissions, and passwords in Active Directory . Install and configure network equipment and address hardware/software issues. Install and integrate new server hardware and applications. Support and manage third-party network and firewall applications. Maintain all computer networks including: Software Virtual hosts VPNs Routers Physical hardware Optimise network performance in line with business needs. Monitor and respond to network security alerts and connectivity incidents. Monitor network performance (availability, utilisation, throughput, latency) and test for vulnerabilities. Update antivirus and security tools to ensure data protection. Diagnose and identify root causes of network and security issues. Research and resolve network performance issues promptly. Provide accurate solutions to issues escalated from 1st-line support. Provide remote infrastructure support and troubleshooting within agreed SLAs. Monitor and respond to new capacity threshold alerts. 3. Research on Latest Networking Practices Identify and review relevant software updates, patches, and firmware releases. Research and provide recommendations on improvements to server system operations. Stay updated on networking best practices, tools, and methodologies. 4. General Administrative Functions Assist in defining network policies and procedures. Communicate network issues clearly to other IT teams, supervisors, and management. Resolve escalated software and hardware configuration issues. Track systems nearing end-of-life and recommend replacements. Document existing systems and create detailed plans for implementing new systems. Maintain positive working relationships with internal customers. Other Requirements Assist System Administrators with cross-functional tasks. Liaise professionally with third-party providers. Advise the Maintenance team on UPS and systems-related failures. Occasional night-time driving and after-hours work. Physical Requirements Must be capable of lifting loads of 20 kg or more . Must be able to work at heights and in confined spaces. Working Hours Standard hours: MondayFriday, 08:0017:00 Occasional after-hours call-outs (including weekends and public holidays) Participation in scheduled standby and call-out shifts. Work Location Primarily based in Benoni Work at Affinity data centres and other sites when required. Essential Qualifications (Must-Have) Matric A Certificate N Certificate OR An equivalent NQF Level 7 networking certification (e.g. CCNA , ACSA ) Desirable Qualifications (Nice-to-Have) LPIC-1 MCSE MCIPT JNCIA Palo Alto Cybersecurity Apprentice Essential Experience (Must-Have) Proven experience as a Network Administrator. Experience designing and implementing routing and switching in large, multi-vendor networks (Aruba, Cisco, Juniper). Direct experience in network security (Juniper, Fortigate, Palo Alto). Hands-on experience with Aruba and Juniper routing/switching. Practical experience with wireless networks (e.g., UniFi). Experience with firewalls, VPN implementation, troubleshooting, and issue resolution. Desirable Experience (Nice-to-Have) Hands-on experience with Windows Server 20162019. Experience with Linux servers and Microsoft infrastructure. Experience with VMware ESXi and distributed switching. Practical experience with BGP, MPLS, and OSPF. Experience with SentinelOne and Gytpol. Knowledge and Skills Strong knowledge of backup and recovery tools. Deep understanding of internet protocols, services, and standards. Strong understanding of network automation, telemetry, and SDN. Strong knowledge of network security standards and best practices. Solid understanding of physical cabling types. Knowledge of best practices for server infrastructure management and monitoring. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong problem-solving and organisational skills. Ability to diagnose and resolve complex hardware, network, and performance issues. Ability to configure server hardware. Strong scripting skills. Solid ability to configure and maintain networking stacks.